Project Management for Future Innovators
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of project management where you’ll learn how businesses bring ideas to life—from launching a new app to managing complex projects around the globe. This course is all about hands-on learning: you’ll use real tools to plan, organize, and track projects while working with your teammates to solve challenges and make important decisions. One of the most fun parts is a project simulation game, where you get to compete and collaborate in realistic project scenarios. Along the way, you’ll gain skills that prepare you for success in both business and technology fields.
By the end of the course, you’ll know how to turn ideas into action, present your plans with confidence, and manage projects with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re interested in business, technology, entrepreneurship, or leadership, this course gives you the tools to succeed and sets you on the path to becoming a confident, capable project manager of tomorrow.
Schedule: Live, synchronous sessions will meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1:00-3:00pm (EDT). Plus asynchronous work as assigned.
Attendance
Students attending the online program are expected to attend all class sessions live in real time. In order to prioritize the health and well-being of participants, eligibility is restricted to applicants residing in time zones where class hours do not extend beyond midnight. Please use a time zone converter to check when class sessions will meet in your time zone.
You’ll engage in interactive lessons that blend real-world business challenges with hands-on learning. Each day, you’ll take on the role of a project leader planning tasks, managing resources, solving problems, and making decisions that drive your team forward. Using professional tools like Microsoft Project, you’ll learn how to organize ideas, build timelines, and track progress just like real companies do.
This course is designed to be highly collaborative and fun. You’ll work in teams to tackle daily challenges, compete in a project simulation game, and experience what it’s like to lead a project from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll sharpen essential skills like communication, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials
You will need a laptop with reliable internet access and access to Microsoft Office (including Excel and PowerPoint) to fully participate in the course. These tools are essential for completing assignments, collaborating on projects, and engaging in live instruction.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the key concepts and ideas behind effective project management
- Learn the different stages of a project and what happens at each step
- Gain hands-on experience using tools to organize project information and simplify management
- Learn about important areas of project management such as scheduling, budgeting, team roles, and risk management
- Gain teamwork, communication, and presentation skills essential for leading successful projects
Software Used:
- Microsoft Office Suite - including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for planning, analysis, and presentation activities
- Microsoft Project - used to build project timelines, assign tasks, and track progress with professional-grade tools
- Harvard Project Simulation Game - an interactive online simulation that replicates real-world project challenges
- Optional Collaboration Tools - such as Google Docs, Google Slides, or Canva for team-based work and creative presentations
Class time is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1:00-3:00pm (EDT). Plus asynchronous work as assigned.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
Asynchronous (Before 1:00 PM) |
Pre-recorded lecture: Introduction to project scope vs. product scope Reading & short video: Defining clear deliverables and avoiding scope creep Mini-check: Short quiz or reflection question to ensure readiness for live session |
|
1:00 PM–1:15 PM |
Review of key concepts and Q&A from asynchronous materials |
|
1:15 PM–1:50 PM |
Interactive discussion: project vs. product scope using real-world examples |
|
1:50 PM–2:35 PM |
Project simulation game: applying scope concepts in breakout groups |
|
1:15 PM–2:30 PM |
Learning block: introduction to UML diagrams and use case modeling for IT projects |
|
2:35 PM–2:55 PM |
Group debrief: lessons learned, scope trade-offs, and common pitfalls |
|
2:55 PM–3:00 PM |
Wrap-up and instructions for asynchronous follow-up work |
|
Asynchronous (After 3:00 PM) |
Learning block: Introduction to UML diagrams and use case modeling for IT projects Team work: Create UML and use case diagrams and document scope for a sample IT project Deliverable: Submit scope statement and diagrams (individual or team-based) |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Ali Shirzadeh, Lecturer, Department of Operations & Information Management
Dr. Ali Shirzadeh is a Lecturer in the Operations and Information Management Department at the Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, where his research focused on project management. Dr. Shirzadeh’s teaching, research, and professional experience lie at the intersection of operations management, data analytics, and business systems. He has been teaching various undergraduate and graduate courses at the Isenberg School of Management, including Business Data Analysis, Information and Project Management, Business Processes and Enterprise Systems, Machine Learning in Business, and Machine Learning for Analytics. He has advised several teams of students in prestigious competitions such as the Business Analytics Competition at Manhattan College and the ERP Simulation Games for North America, achieving strong results. Since Summer 2023, Dr. Shirzadeh has served as the SAP Faculty Coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he has led and supported multiple initiatives to strengthen SAP engagement across programs. His work has included efforts such as meeting SAP Recognition Award requirements, facilitating the installation and access of SAP software for academic use, introducing new SAP University Alliances and ERPsim tools, and contributing to the renewal of the SAP University Alliances partnership. He also served as a course designer and instructor at the Boston Leadership Institute, delivering Finance and Investment Banking courses for precollege summer programs. Before joining the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. Shirzadeh held academic appointments at Northeastern University and Babson College and served as a visiting scholar at several U.S. institutions, including the University of Rhode Island, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and North Carolina State University. He also brings years of industry experience in roles such as consultant, data scientist, and director. He is a recipient of the Isenberg Teaching with Digital Technology Award (2025) and was recognized as an Outstanding Ph.D. Graduate by Sharif University of Technology.
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